Agriculture featured prominently at the 15th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP15)

December 22, 2009 - Although no deal was reached at the15th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP15) in Copenhagen, the Canadian Federation of Agriculture worked as part of the International Federation of Agriculture Producers (IFAP) delegation to ensure that agricultural issues were top of mind for ministers and attendees.

 “The importance of providing agricultural solutions in adapting to and mitigating the effects of climate change were reflected well over the course of the conference with several countries, including Canada, working diligently to draft a sectoral approach within the agreement that would deal specifically with agriculture,” said Don McCabe, a corn and soybean farmer in Ontario and also CFA's environment and science co-chair, President of the Soil Conservation Council and Vice-President of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture.

“Agriculture was the only industry that had reached such an advanced stage in the negotiations, and the sectoral agreement would have mapped out a work program to begin focusing on technology transfer and how agriculture would continue to benefit from national and international carbon markets,” added McCabe.

Despite these positive advancements in the standing and importance of agriculture at the negotiations, the CFA was disappointed when, along with the majority of the key issues, the final decision and acceptance of the agriculture sectoral approach was delayed until the next meeting in December 2010. 

"It was an unsatisfying conclusion to the conference, not just for agriculture but for the entire overarching agreement," said Laurent Pellerin, CFA President. "We can only hope that Canada and the other countries can come together in a year and put some of these important measures in place." 

Although the final outcome was disappointing, there were several positive events during the conference. An agriculture day was organized by IFAP, the FAO, Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research, and the Center for International Forestry Research on December 12. The event brought together over 300 agriculture experts from across the world and resulted in a joint statement relaying the importance of agriculture to the negotiators in Copenhagen. 

In addition, the CFA participated in a side event on the future global potential of biofuels and the bioeconomy hosted by the Danish government. McCabe also had the opportunity to speak on behalf of the worlds farmers to the plenary session of the conference. 

"Canadian agriculture was well represented here in Copenhagen and we ensured that our message was heard," said McCabe. "Hopefully Canada and the rest of the nations of the world will be able to get it right in 2010."